Tuning the hydrophobicity of ZSM-5 zeolites by surface silanization using alkyltrichlorosilane

► ZSM-5 zeolites with different hydrophobicity were obtained by chlorosilanes modification. ► With increasing the alkyl chain length of trichlorosilane, the hydrophobicity increased. ► With an increase in the pre-treatment temperature, the hydrophobicity decreased. ► The modified ZSM-5 particles possessed good hydrophobicity at a temperature below 250 °C in air.